WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

DWI ... 'driving while Irish'

Special permits allow rural residents to imbibe, get behind the wheel

Published: 01/23/2013 at 10:14 PM

(Huffington Post) The Kerry County Council in southwest Ireland has passed a controversial measure that could make it legal for some rural drivers to get behind the wheel after knocking back a few stiff drinks.

While only three council members voted “no” on the proposed legislation, five apparently support the creation of special permits for driving in sparsely populated areas while intoxicated, according to the Guardian.

Nationwide, Ireland has been cracking down on drunken driving, according to Irish news outlet Independent.ie, which reports that drivers are now allowed only 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, “equivalent to drinking less than one pint of beer.” But permits proposed in the Kerry measure would allow rural residents to consume “two or three drinks,” per the Guardian.